If you were injured in a car crash, you are probably concerned about how you will pay for the losses resulting from the collision. Reporting the collision may be the last thing on your mind but reporting the car accident to insurance is extremely important. Regardless of who was at fault for the collision, you should report the incident to your insurance.
You will need to review and understand your insurance policy to understand your reporting requirements. Each policy may differ, so you may be required to report an accident within ten days of a collision, or you may have more time depending on your policy. Knowing the reporting requirement is essential to ensure you preserve your rights.
How to File an Insurance Claim
Once you contact your insurance company and inform them of the car crash, it will begin the insurance claim process. Once your insurance company is notified, they will likely start requesting information, including:
- Time and location of the car crash
- A detailed description of the collision (e.g., who caused the accident and what parts of the vehicles collided)
- Other driver’s information
- Witness information, if applicable
- Photos of the vehicles and scene that were taken
- The police report
Your insurance company will also likely ask you about injuries sustained during the collision. It is recommended that you do not discuss any information concerning your injuries with an insurance company. Rather, you should leave those discussions to your attorney, who understands how to deal with insurance companies who are likely trying to find reasons to reduce the compensation they must pay.
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How to File an Insurance Claim Against Another Driver
Generally, when you inform your insurance company of an accident, they will begin the claim process and contact the other driver’s insurance company on your behalf. However, if your insurance company is not going to contact the at-fault driver’s insurance company on your behalf, you will need to contact them and go through a similar process of answering questions about the collision or have your attorney do it on your behalf.
How Long Do You Have to File an Insurance Claim?
An insurance claim is different than a personal injury lawsuit. No law requires an insurance claim to be filed within a specific timeframe. However, each insurance company may have reporting requirements. As a result, it is important to notify insurance companies of a collision and begin a claim immediately after the collision so that your claim is not denied for failing to report within the required timeframe.
How Long Does an Insurance Claim Take?
How long it takes for an insurance claim to settle depends on the insurance companies involved, the severity of injuries, and the amount of property damage being claimed. The more compensation being sought, the longer it will likely take to settle the claim because the insurance company will investigate more thoroughly before determining what compensation they’re willing to pay. Therefore, settling an insurance claim could take anywhere from a couple of weeks to several months after your medical care is concluded.
What Type of Lawyer Handles Insurance Claims?
You should hire a personal injury attorney to handle an insurance claim because they understand how to negotiate with insurance companies. In addition, if settlement negotiations fail, a personal injury attorney can handle your personal injury lawsuit.
Do I Need a Lawyer for an Insurance Claim?
If you were injured in a collision, you don’t have to hire a personal injury attorney, but you should. They have a deep understanding of how to negotiate with insurance adjusters. Insurance companies are for-profit companies with one goal: to make money. A personal injury attorney is best suited for fighting for maximum financial relief for the losses you sustained because of the at-fault party’s negligence.
Contact Us Today for a Free Consultation
If you were involved in a car crash, regardless of who caused the collision, you should report the accident to your insurance company. Having an experienced Dallas car accident attorney on your side can make a big difference in the compensation you can recover.
The attorneys of The Benton Law Firm have experience dealing with insurance companies and are ready to fight for your best interests. Contact us today by calling us at (214) 777-7777 or completing our online form. We’ll set up a free consultation to discuss your legal options and what you should do next.
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